Binutils: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
CVE-2025-11083 is a high-severity improper restriction of operations within the bounds of a memory buffer vulnerability in Binutils from GNU, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Binutils versions: 2.45. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.26% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Binutils you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNU | Binutils | 2.45 | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP | V3.1.5 and later | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIMATIC S7-1500 CPU 1518F-4 PN/DP MFP | V3.1.5 and later | Not stated |
| Siemens | SIPLUS S7-1500 CPU 1518-4 PN/DP MFP | V3.1.5 and later | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 1.9 | Low | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 5.3 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 2.0 | 4.3 | Medium | CNA (vuldb.com) |
Official description
A vulnerability has been found in GNU Binutils 2.45. The affected element is the function elf_swap_shdr in the library bfd/elfcode.h of the component Linker. The manipulation leads to heap-based buffer overflow. The attack must be carried out locally. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of the patch is 9ca499644a21ceb3f946d1c179c38a83be084490. To fix this issue, it is recommended to deploy a patch. The code maintainer replied with "[f]ixed for 2.46".
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer
The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it reads from or writes to a memory location outside the buffer's intended boundary.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, many languages that perform their own memory management, such as Java and Perl, are not subject to buffer overflows. Other languages, such as Ada and C#, typically provide overflow protection, but the protection can be disabled by the programmer. Be wary that a language's interface to native code may still be subject to overflows, even if the language itself is theoretically safe.
- Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Examples include the Safe C String Library (SafeStr) by Messier and Viega, and the Strsafe.h library from Microsoft. These libraries provide safer versions of overflow-prone string-handling functions.
- Use automatic buffer overflow detection mechanisms that are offered by certain compilers or compiler extensions. Examples include: the Microsoft Visual Studio /GS flag, Fedora/Red Hat FORTIFY_SOURCE GCC flag, StackGuard, and ProPolice, which provide various mechanisms including canary-based detection and range/index checking. D3-SFCV (Stack Frame Canary Validation) from D3FEND discusses canary-based detection in detail.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Third-party and government advisories
- vuldb.com/?id.326124Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- vuldb.com/?submit.661277Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)
- sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=33457Exploit, Issue Tracking
- sourceware.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=33457#c1Exploit, Issue Tracking
Other references
- vuldb.com/?ctiid.326124Permissions Required, VDB Entry
- gnu.org/Product
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-082556.html
Other vulnerabilities in Binutils
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
Recent Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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